What it actually costs to live in Delaware.
Delaware’s cost-of-living index sits at 103 on the MERIC composite (national average = 100), ranking #24 of 51 jurisdictions for cost. That means a standard basket of goods + services in Delaware costs about 3% MORE than the US average. Median home price: $375,000. Population-weighted median rent across metros: $1,350/mo.
Delaware cost components
| Component | Delaware | National avg |
|---|---|---|
| COL index (basket) | 103 | 100 |
| Median home price | $375,000 | ~$420,000 |
| Median rent (pop-weighted) | $1,350/mo | ~$1,850/mo |
| Commute cost (proxy) | $198/mo | ~$185/mo |
Commute cost = avg metro commute minutes × $0.18/min × 2 trips × 22 work days. Refined BLS Consumer Expenditure Survey integration tracked for v1.
How Delaware compares
Of all 51 US jurisdictions, Delaware ranks #24 for cost. That places Delaware in the middle — moderate cost without being a particular outlier. For the live state-vs-state heat map see the interactive cost-of-living map.
Delaware metros — city-level cost
State averages hide major intra-state variation. Wilmington has very different housing dynamics than smaller Delaware metros. Click any city for the full home affordability breakdown.
More Delaware metros coming as we expand city coverage.
Delaware cost of living — common questions
What is the cost of living in Delaware?
Delaware's MERIC cost-of-living index is 103 (national average = 100). That means a typical basket of goods + services in Delaware costs about 3% more than the US average.
What is the median home price in Delaware?
Delaware's state-level median home price is approximately $375,000 (Census ACS 2024). Metros vary significantly — see the top-metro list below for city-level breakdowns.
What is the median rent in Delaware?
Delaware's population-weighted median rent across metros in our dataset is approximately $1,350/mo. Major-metro rents typically run 30-80% above this state-level average.
Are there any Delaware-specific cost-of-living quirks?
No sales tax means Delaware retailers in border towns (Newark, Claymont) thrive on PA/NJ/MD cross-border shoppers; new-car purchases save 6–7% vs neighboring states.
Reviewed by CalcFi Editorial · COL source: MERIC quarterly; home + rent: Census ACS 2024. Last verified 2026-04-19.